PARKING charges at the main car park in the centre of St Austell are to be frozen until the spring of 2026.

St Austell Town Council which runs Priory Car Park has decided on the move to help boost trade in the town centre.

Cllr Tom French, chairman of the council’s finance and general purposes committee, said: “I am delighted that the full council took on board the committee’s recommendation to freeze the car park charges for the 2025-2026 financial year.

“Members of the committee are very aware that businesses in the town centre, like many other Cornish towns, are struggling and they wanted to do something positive to show the business community that we want the town to thrive.

“We have also made it easier for people to pay with the recent introduction of the contactless payment facility on each machine.

“Despite introducing more technology, the car park machines still accept cash, which we know is important to many elderly users.”

A council spokesperson said: “The town council’s car parking charges will remain at £1 for one hour, £1.60 for two hours and £3 for up to four hours. The town council also offers a discounted rate for season ticket holders, please see www.staustell-tc.gov.uk for more details or telephone 01726 829855 or email [email protected].”

The town council has also agreed to make Priory Car Park free, after noon, on the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas to co-incide with town centre festive activities.

Meanwhile, it will be free to park in all Cornwall Council car parks on two Saturdays before Christmas — December 7 and 14 — and on Monday, December 23.

These car parks include Clifden Road and Polkyth in St Austell, the main town car park plus Albert Quay and Caffa Mill in Fowey, and Church Street and River Street in Mevagissey.

Cornwall Council car parks are clearly branded and there will be posters about the parking offer at charging points on the free parking days.